Latch



Feb. 7, 1928.

A. EKMAN LATCH Filed Oct. 28. 1926 11v VENTOR flm/rew f/rman A TTORNE Y9 Patented Feb. 7, 1928 UNITED i STATES A'NDREW EKMAN, OF GRANDRAPIDS, MICHIGAN.

LATCH.

"Application filed October 28, 1926. Serial No. 144,780.

The main object ofthis invention is to provide an improved latch which is automatically engaged when the door isswung shut or slammed without the necessity for manual manipulation of the latch.

A further object is to provide a latch embodying these improvements which is simple and durable initsparts and positive in operation.

mies of my invention will definitely appear from the detailed description to follow. The invention-is clearly defined and pointed out in the claims.

A- structure embod ing the features of my invention is clearly i lustrated in the accompanying drawing forming a part of this application, in which:

Fig. 1 is a perspective view of my im- 20 proved latch appliedto a door, such as a refrigerator door.

Fig. 2 is a detail view in section on a line corresponding to 1ine 22 of Fig. 3 showing the bolt in. disengaged position by full lines, 26 its engaged position being indicated by dotted lines.

Fig. 3 is a fragmentary view showing the bolt in disengaged position and the door partially opened.

90 Referring to the drawing, 1 represents the .body of a refrigerator and 2 the door. My improved latch comprises a base member 3 provided with an outwardly projecting angled arm l. A pivot 5 extends between the base and arm, the arm supporting the outer end of the pivot. The bolt 6 is mounted on this pivot and provided with a hand piece 7 at its rear end, the hand piece constituting a weight to swing the bolt into camming engagement with the keeper as will be hereafter pointed out.

On the pivot 5 I also mount a tappet 8.

This tappetis mounted at the rear of the bolt and shouldered to overhang the bolt as shownin Figs. 2-and 3. The arm 4 constitutes a stop limiting the swinging movement of the tappet. The tappet has apart 9 which is adapted to engage the bolt at the rear of its pivot and a part 10 which is adapted to engage the bolt at the front of its pivot, these parts being, however, positioned so as to permit a limited swinging movement of the tappet and the bolt relative to each other. I

When the bolt is swung to the upright position shown inFigs. 2 and 3 the handle Objects pertaining to I details and econo 7 swings pastthe vertical plane of the pivot,

remain in this upright position. Itwill be observed that in this position it rests'against the part 6 of the tappet. Y

The strike 11 provided with a downwardly facing keeper 12 having an inclined cam surface 13 with which the bolt engages so that there is a clamping action exerted upon the door. The keeper isalso provided with a downwardly 'inclinedforwardly facing cam face M with which the .bolt engages when the door is swung to closed position, this cam surface 14 acting to swing-the bolt on its pivot and into engagement with the keeper. I

The strike is also provided with-an upwardly facing. cam 15 with which the tappet coacts when the door is swung to closed'position. The tappet engaging this camactuates the latch or moves the latch into position to engage the part 14 of the strike, thereby insuring the engagement of the bolt with the keeper.

With theparts thus arranged the bolt is positively actuated to engaging position and manual manipulation thereof is not required. My improved latch also has the advantage that the parts are simple and economical and can be readily assembled and are very durable. I

Another and very desirable feature is that when the latch is in engagement with the strike, the tappet resting upon the top of the strike serves as a support so that the door is supported at its outer end and the strike sustains the downward thrust exerted by the operator in attempting to force the bolt home, thereby relieving the hinges of this strain.

Having thus described my invention what I claimas new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

1. The combination of. a base member provided with an overhanging arm and a pivot supported at its outer end by said arm, a bolt mounted on said pivot and provided with a hand piece at its rear end, a tappet mounted on said pivot at the rear of said bolt and shouldered to overhang the bolt, said, arm constituting a stop limiting the swinging movement of saidtappet, said tappet limiting the swinging movement of said bolt, the bolt and tappet having limited independent movement, and a strike having a downwardly facing keeper provided with a cam sur- 0 so that the tendency is forv the bolt to face with which the bolt eoacts when in latched position and with a forwardly facing cam for actuating the bolt to keeper engaging position, said keeper also being provided with an upwardly facing cam coacting with said tappet.

2. The combination of a base member, a bolt pivotally mounted on said base member, a tappet pivotally mounted on said base member, said bolt and tappet being moan for limited independent pivotal movement, the ta-ppet having parts adapted to engage the bolt at the front and rear of its pivot, a stop limiting the swinging movement of the tappet, the tappet constituting; a stop limiting the swinging movement of the bolt, and a strike provided with a cam for actuating the bolt to engaging position and with a tappet actuating cam.

3. The combination with a pivotally mounted bolt, a pivotally mounted tappet coacting with said bolt, said bolt having a limited swinging movement independent of said tappet, said tappet being adapted to engage the bolt at the front rear of the bolt pivot, and a keeper adapted also to actuate said tappet.

4. The combination with a pivotally mounted bolt, a pivotally mounted tappet coacting with said bolt, said bolt and tappet being mounted for limited independent movement relative to each other, and a coact ing strike provided with parts coacting with said tappet and bolt whereby the tappet is actuated to actuate the bolt to position to be engaged by its actuating part on the strike.

5. in a latch, the combination of a base member, a bolt pivotally mounted thereon for swinging movement, a tuppet mounted on said base for limited movement, said tappet and bolt being capable of independent movement, said base being provided with a stop limiting the upward swing of the tappet, and a strike provided with a downwardly facing keeper, said tappet resting on said strike when the bolt is in engagement with said keeper.

6. In a latch, the combination of a pivotally mounted bolt, a pivotally mounted tappet coacting with said bolt, and a coacting strike provided with a downwardly facing keeper, said tappet being adapted to rest upon the strike and constituting a supporting member when the bolt is in engagement with the keeper.

In witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand.

ANDREWV EKMAN. 

